North Fork Ranch residents go jaw to jaw over drilling
Energy boom ruins water, scars views, they charge
By Gargi Chakrabarty, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 31, 2008 at 9:05 p.m.
Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky
Gary East, 61, and his wife, Tine, have sold their home in the North Fork Ranch west of Trinidad because of all the drilling going on in their housing development. "I don't want to stay here and watch the destruction of what I have worked my whole life to get," he said.
Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky
Rocks at a Pioneer Natural Resources Co. drilling site on North Fork Ranch show the discoloring effects of the water that's a byproduct of the methane gas pumped from the ground.
Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky
Roughnecks employed by Bronco Energy play horseshoes after work on wells within the 4,000-acre North Fork Ranch development, 30 miles west of Trinidad. The ranch sits at an altitude of 4,500 feet atop the Raton Basin, which is regarded as one of the most prolific coal-bed methane reserves in the Rocky Mountains.
Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky
Tracy and Amy Dahl stand by the solar panel used for their water pump in the North Fork Ranch west of Trinidad on Wednesday. The couple fears running out of water for their property.
The 4,000-acre North Fork Ranch, known for beautiful canyons and rock outcroppings, is bearing the brunt of the state's insatiable thirst for energy.
Residents of this community 30 miles west of Trinidad complain that drinking-water wells have become contaminated by methane wells, and that streams have become filled with silt and dried up - leaving a barren moon-like landscape.
A number of ranches and lots are listed for sale by residents who came to this area to get away from the noise and to get closer to nature.
"I don't feel safe drinking the water from my well," said Gopa Ross, 57, who has lived on the ranch since 2004. "From my observation, the water quality is not consistent - it changes."
Ross said her well was tested and the water found unfit for drinking two years ago after a drilling incident polluted it.
But suppositions and impressions, not hard facts, are the basis of these allegations, said Jay Still, executive vice president of Dallas-based Pioneer Natural Resources Co., which owns methane wells on the ranch.
"It is very easy to make a statement that streams are drying, erosion or stream siltification is happening, and then it becomes a statement of fact," Still said. "But where's the science that backs that up? "
Prolific methane reserve
The North Fork Ranch sits about 4,500 feet high on top of the Raton Basin - among the most prolific coal-bed methane reserves in the Rockies.
The seams filled with natural gas often are saturated with water, with gas held in the coal by water pressure. Bringing gas to the surface often results in the pumping of water, in some cases, tainted water. Today, the basin has about 2,000 wells - accounting for half the state's coal-bed methane wells.
Since drilling on the ranch began in 2005, residents say they have noticed changes in their water. Not just the quality but also the quantity.
"We are seeing the effects on our surface water, and I just worry that next it will be our groundwater," said longtime resident Marcia Dasko. "Without water, nothing else counts. We can't live without it."
A preliminary study sponsored by the state oil and gas commission in November 2007 said drilling is depleting the streams in the area by 2,500 acre-feet per year.
But a competing study, paid for by the industry but conducted under the supervision of the Colorado School of Mines, found that the depletion rate is 30 acre-feet per year.
Another industry-sponsored study concluded that silt in the streams is lower now than 10 years ago, partly because energy companies build and maintain the roads better.
"If we have real data to work with, we are better off to solve problems," Still said.
County powerless
Las Animas County officials say they have no authority over water - it's a state matter.
"Clearly we are concerned," said Bill Cordova, county administrator. "People should have adequate water supply, but we don't have control to do anything about that."
However, the county opposes the state oil and gas commission's efforts to toughen rules on coal-bed methane water, leading many residents to believe the county is sympathetic with the industry.
Tracy Dahl, president of the North Fork Ranch Landowners Association, traveled to Denver on July 15 for a hearing on the proposed rules before the commission.
"I am speaking on behalf of the North Fork Ranch, where I live, as well as for the thousands of people living in rural Las Animas County whose concerns and problems have not been represented by their local elected officials," Dahl testified. "I live in the heart of the Raton Basin, and have been living with coal-bed methane development for several years now.
"Despite industry assurances to the contrary, numerous problems exist, and unless there is meaningful reform, it is likely to get far worse."
State commissioners will begin deliberating the proposed rules Aug. 12, and a final decision is expected later this month.
"We do have new rules addressing coal-bed methane drilling," said Dave Neslin, the commission's acting director.
A loud boom
Gopa Ross remembers the evening of July 18, 2006.
She heard a loud boom at about 9:30 p.m. - loud enough to get all the neighbors calling each other. Then another boom at about 11 p.m. woke her up.
The source was a drilling accident at a nearby rig belonging to Pioneer Natural Resources. The drill bit had gotten stuck, so crew members applied pressure to release it. Pioneer said it is not clear whether that mechanical event caused problems in water wells.
Ross said she noticed the next day that her well water had swelled almost to the top. And it reeked.
She called Pioneer, the state oil and gas commission and local officials. Samples taken from her well tested for high levels of metal, making it unfit to drink, she said.
Pioneer bought her bottled water, offered to put her up in a hotel and tried to negotiate a settlement.
Unlike her neighbors, the Doloras family, which had settled with Pioneer after its water well blew up, Ross held out. Pioneer said it offered to dig a water well for Ross, but that well turned out to be dry.
"We could not come to an understanding," Ross said.
The state oil and gas commission initiated enforcement action against Pioneer, Neslin said. Currently, the commission is seeking to reach an appropriate penalty. If imposed, the penalty money would go to the state.
Ross said the incident changed her life.
Construction of her house stalled as company and government officials came in and out of her property to inspect the well. Her brother, who was helping with construction, died, and the house never got built.
She now lives in her barn.
Just as well, since she can't board horses anymore. She said the three horses she had wouldn't drink the well water.
"I know the drilling incident was not on purpose - it was just a problem," Ross said. "But I am the one that has to deal with it. That one night destroyed my dream."
Last week, Ross sued Pioneer and some contractors. She wants a jury to decide an appropriate compensation.
"We provided Ms. Ross with fresh water for over a year, we tried to negotiate a solution, offered to put purification equipment on her well and re-drill a water well at a better location," Still said.
"Earlier this year, we quit supplying her fresh water when we saw the negotiations were going nowhere. If she wants to take us to court, we will be ready with our facts to stand in court."
Residents did prepare
In early 2005, when it became clear that drilling was on the way, residents at North Fork Ranch began to prepare.
They paid for baseline studies, kept records and took photos to make sure they'd have evidence if things changed.
Sure enough, they said, things did change.
"This used to be pristine country," said Gary East, 61, who has lived in the ranch for seven years. "Now I can see the scars on the hills from drilling. The construction is unbelievable - they are changing the slogan 'Colorful Colorado.' "
Last month, East sold his property.
East's two sons work in the energy industry. He said they understand his concerns and his decision to leave the ranch - he believes drilling will make things worse.
"I know this industry generates a lot of income, and I don't want to see people lose their jobs," East said. "But I'd like a little respect for what we own on the surface, a little more protection of our air, our water."
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August 1, 2008
4:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
roger44 writes:
The local politicians pass the buck to the state, the state does nothing, and people are left in the dust. The state makes it appear in the media like they care but they don't, the feds don't. It will take a major event of water pollution to get their attention. Makes light of the old saying you can take a horse to water but can't make him drink, if it's the polluted stuff.
August 1, 2008
5:54 a.m.
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Oh_Wise_One writes:
This is a one sided article. Expect to see many more of these from the Democrat influenced media to try and stem the tide for drilling. Gargi Chakrabarty is now on my 'to be watched for bias' list.
August 1, 2008
7 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
you know Froward I get a kick out of reading your uninformed opinions about the oil companies and Republicans in general.
August 1, 2008
7:13 a.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
Froward is a piece of work. Making drinking water is not a monumental task either. Consider how Saudi Arabia makes water. Word on the street is they drill quite a bit too.
August 1, 2008
7:34 a.m.
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Oh_Wise_One writes:
Frowtard- Obambi thinks we have 57 states and your point is what? The Dalibama has made some many miscues in speech when off the teleprompter that mere mortal would have been laughed off the world stage. You blind followers of this heavenly being called Barryessiah will be in for a rude awakening when you kiss his feet of clay.
August 1, 2008
7:43 a.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
Froward,
You think that pulling water out of the ground is the only way to make water here? So how is your friend Adolf these days?
August 1, 2008
7:43 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
Froward- You have a very skewed view of Republicans in my opinion. Not all of us are out there to "harm" the environment. Yes I believe that drilling will help and that it can be done in a environmentally safe matter. I believe in small government etc. etc. I'm not a "Reatrdlican" as you like to state Republican are.
I'm a Conservative first, Republican second.
August 1, 2008
8:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
FlyfishDude52 writes:
Froward - it must be a sad thing for you to look at the world thru your $hit colored glasses. Is everything in the world, according to you, the fault of conservative republicans ( there aren't enough of them left for my taste)? How can you be so narrow.
I could go on about this but all your diatribes are nothing but uneducated, knee-jerk reactions to issues you, apparently, are ignorant about after reading your sanctimonious bilge!
August 1, 2008
8:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
FlyfishDude52 writes:
Fro - There were no trout in the small streams of the Spanish Peaks area. The streams in this area, through time immemorial, (as long as these things have been recorded) never run all year around. Remember the area is even more semi-arid than denver & the front range.
I'm not for damaging water supplies any more than you are. Accidents happen far more seldom in the US than world-wide. I can attest to this as a very close friend has made a very handsome living travelling around the world managing HazMat clean-ups. Mostly in what used to be the UUSR. Get it? Not USA...
August 1, 2008
9:20 a.m.
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tjpatriot writes:
It would be funny if that guy sold his land, and later they found oil on it.
Besides, who needs gas? Just put more air in your tires.
August 1, 2008
12:34 p.m.
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NativeColo writes:
This story is a self-serving piece of knee-jerk, tree hugger propaganda. I take exception to Mr. Dahl speaking for thousands in Las Animas County who are not represented by local officials. I am one of those thousands and Mr. Dahl DOES NOT speak for me. I feel perfectly represented by Ken Torres, Jim Montoya and Gary Hill as my county commissioners. They are truly listening to the people of Las Animas County, who are saying in one loud, united voice, that they want natural gas production to continue so that our good quality of life continues. We want to pay our mortgages, car payments and grocery bills. The COGCC and Governor Ritter seem to think because they are claiming the "moral high ground" for the "environment", they have the right to become a liberal dictatorship. Just because politicians believe they are doing "the right thing" doesn't give them the right to ignore the will of the people. That's what democracy is all about. The people of Colorado want natural gas production, a good quality of life, high paying jobs and freedom from foreign oil. I would lament trout being killed, but better trout than people. People always come first. Most of the people in Las Animas County who are complaining are people who neglected to purchase mineral rights along with their surface rights and neglected to research the community they were moving to. Why should we have to change our community for them? We are natives. We love that land more than they ever could. The best part of Las Animas County is that the roads lead out just as well as they lead in. Keep that in mind.
August 1, 2008
2:25 p.m.
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dukeco1 writes:
The story above is just another in a long line of similar stories from every part of Colorado that has been invaded by the oil and gas industry. People have a tendency to sit in one of two camps: one group that is growing fat on the big money made by industry and royalty owners, and ...everybody else.
The COGCC is rewriting the rules in this state because of real destruction. The increasing frequency of poisoned water sources and poisoned people is well documented. Industry apologists, like a couple of the previous posters, want you to believe that someone is making up all these stories. These are true stories. I know many of the victims of the shoddy work and insensitive policies of this extractive industry.
When the doctor who was trying to save the life of a nurse in Durango who, in trying to help an industry worker, had been exposed to "Zeta-flo", the company refused to divulge the ingredients when the doctor inquired. Luckily, the physician who was trying to save her life, guessed at a treatment regimen that worked. The company that distributes the chemical, apparently was willing to let her die before they would divulge the nature of the poison they put in the ground.
There is a reason why VP Cheney personally strong-armed the congress into giving Halliburton an exemption to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Because when those guys are around....it's not safe.
August 4, 2008
1:04 p.m.
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dukeco1 writes:
It is reported in this mornings' Durango Herald that the company, Weatherford, that provides ZetaFlow to the gas patch, did not specifically refuse to divulge the ingredients of the product to the nurses' doctor. I will note that they did not go out of their way to help, however.
August 14, 2008
3:11 a.m.
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Fighter3 writes:
This is exactly why we desperately need more new and stricter rules -- to protect the people, wildlife and the environment. This type of "accidents" are happening all over Colorado where the oil and gas companies are going full tilt to get every last drop. Seems things need to slow down so we don't end up with these pollution issues. Drilling can be done safely but guess they can't go as fast that way. We all have the right to clean air, safe water to drink and our family's health. Check out this web-site to see how it really is around the massive drilling and take time to view the videos - this is just one small area of western Colorado and one family's struggle to survive it with no help from the COGCC or any local "authorities". All they want is to save their family health and their home. Is this to much to ask? Web site is:
http://www.journeyoftheforsaken.com
It appears to me that the energy industry in this state have the attitude it's full steam ahead and don't worry about the citizens or anything else - only the profits of the day and if things get destroyed so be it - prove it if you can! I have personally seen the destruction and the health related problems from the contamination but it seems the citizen (who has little resources) has to prove over and over and over what has happened did and with the industry with all the billions of dollars - the little guy don't have much chance. They usually have to set and watch their lives and homes be destroyed - along with the environment. There has to be a better way.